Impacts of sensory multimodality congruence and familiarity with short use on cosmetic product evaluation
Year: 2023
Type: article
Abstract: Cross-modal association between sensory modalities is a natural phenomenon in the perception of our environment. For cosmetic evaluation, touch and smell are the two major sensory modalities involved in the whole product perception. In this study, we investigate whether a specific cosmetic texture is preferentially associated with a specific fragrance: congruence between texture and fragrance. In addition, we investigate whether 1-week use of a fragrance-texture congruent or non-congruent product can influence user's whole product appreciation and well-being. We have conducted a four-test experiment with 29 participants; first in the laboratory to evaluate: six fragrances and four textures individually with free description (test 1); the same stimuli with a description with cross-modal descriptors (test 2); 10 fragrance-texture combined products (test 3); and secondly at home, two fragrance-texture combined products: one congruent and one non-congruent (test 4). Results showed that: (1) For a given texture type, specific olfactory notes are necessary to lead to a congruent cross-modal pairing product. (2) Sensory modal congruent products produce the highest hedonic response. (3) Real-life use or familiarisation with a product can influence not only the degree of cross-modal congruence but also overall cosmetic product appreciation.
DOI: 10.1111/ics.12863
Authors: Alice Bourdier, Anne Abriat, Tao Jiang
Institution: Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon
Language: English
Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4366352035